Postgraduate Prize Awards Presentation 2017

The University of Nottingham Postgraduate Prize Awards recognise accomplishments in research, publications, conferences and contributions to the postgraduate community. Students were nominated by their Head of Schools for excellence across the aforementioned areas.

On 17th May 2017, prize winners and their guests were invited to a tri-campus awards ceremony hosted by the Graduate School. The ceremony was showcased simultaneously across all three campuses in UK, Malaysia and China. Professor Claire O’Malley, Vice-Provost of Research and Knowledge Transfer, presented the awards to the prize winners while their supervisors cheered them on. A total of three students were awarded the Postgraduate Prize Awards and one student was awarded the Postgraduate Teaching Award.

The Postgraduate Teaching Award recognises and celebrates examples of innovative teaching and learning support. It is given to students who demonstrate innovation and reflective practice by improving effectiveness in teaching and learning support, making appropriate changes in learning activities or techniques, evaluating and reflecting on the impact of intervention and possibilities for further development.

The students who received the Postgraduate Prize Awards 2017 are listed below:

[From left] Qin Ting, Professor Claire O’Malley and Dr Then Sue-Mian. “Qin Ting, fondly known as Grace, is an all-rounder: a dedicated, methodical and passionate researcher in the lab, an active sportswoman and tireless contributor and supporter to the postgraduate community within the School of Biomedical Sciences and the Faculty of Science.” – Dr Then Sue-Mian

[From left] Mei Xiang, Professor Claire O’Malley and Professor Law Chung Lim. “Mei Xiang has made significant achievements through her three years of PhD journey where she produced a good number of journal publications and peer-reviewed conference papers. Mei Xiang received several awards at the Faculty of Engineering Manufacturing and Industrial Processes (MIP) Research Away Day in recent years for her accomplishments in research output and research achievement. She is among the key members who initiated mobile tutoring group for underprivileged kids, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project under the UNMC Blue Sky and also proposed the Buddy System for new postgraduate students through the Student Association (SA) Postgraduate Student Network (PGSN).” – Professor Law Chung Lim

[From left] Alberto, Professor Claire O’Malley and Professor Festo Massawe. “Alberto is a great example of a ‘well-rounded researcher’ with unique laboratory and fields skills. He is passionate about his research on underutilised crops and the role these species could play to diversify agriculture beyond the major crops. He combines science and communication of scientific research superbly. This award is a testament to his contribution to the university community and beyond but more importantly his outstanding research on winged bean – soon to be named ‘Mr Winged Bean Jr’.” – Professor Festo Massawe

The student who received the Postgraduate Teaching Award 2017 is listed below:

Mass Misha’ari Weerabangsa, School of Psychology

Misha’ari receiving her Postgraduate Teaching Award from Professor Claire O’Malley. Misha’ari developed a Q&A forum on Moodle for students to post queries for Teaching Assistants, this improved response time and feedback. She also designed and led a new Practical Methods module. She is an excellent Teaching Assistant and has strong sense of responsibility and initiative.

The Graduate School would like to once again congratulate all the winners on their commendable achievements!